Politics blog + Italy | The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog+world/italy
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David Cameron's press conference: Politics live bloghttps://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2014/apr/01/boris-johnsons-lbc-phone-in-politics-live-blog
<p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2014/apr/01/boris-johnsons-lbc-phone-in-politics-live-blog#block-533a7ed7e4b03f2475aef659">• Boris Johnson's LBC phone-in - Summary</a></p><p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2014/apr/01/boris-johnsons-lbc-phone-in-politics-live-blog#block-533aa7c6e4b03f2475aef6f4">• Cable refused to apologise for Royal Mail flotation</a></p><p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2014/apr/01/boris-johnsons-lbc-phone-in-politics-live-blog#block-533ab4afe4b03f2475aef72a">• Lunchtime summary</a></p><p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2014/apr/01/boris-johnsons-lbc-phone-in-politics-live-blog#block-533ad457e4b03f2475aef791">• Afternoon summary</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T15:17:26.075Z">4.17pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><b><a href="http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/coffeehouse/2014/04/len-mccluskey-unite-could-start-donating-to-other-parties/?utm_source=rss&amp;utm_medium=rss&amp;utm_campaign=len-mccluskey-unite-could-start-donating-to-other-parties&amp;utm_source=twitterfeed&amp;utm_medium=twitter">• Len McCluskey, the Unite general secretary, has said that his union could stop backing Labour if Labour were to lose the next election.</a> </b>(See <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2014/apr/01/boris-johnsons-lbc-phone-in-politics-live-blog#block-533ad3a4e4b03f2475aef790">3.58pm.)</a></p><p><b>• David Cameron has explained his decision to order an inquiry into the work of the Muslim Brotherhood in the UK and abroad.</b> This is what he said when asked about it at a press conference with his Italian counterpart in Downing Street.</p><p>What I think is important about the Muslim Brotherhood is to make sure we fully understand what this organisation is, what it stands for, what its links are, what its beliefs are in terms of both extremism and violent extremism, what its connections are with other groups, what its presence is here in the United Kingdom.</p><p>Our policies should be informed by a complete picture of that knowledge and that’s why I’ve commissioned this piece of work by a very experienced and senior ambassador, John Jenkins, who’s our ambassador in Saudi Arabia. And I think it’s an important piece of work because we’ll only get our policy right if we fully understand the true nature of the organisation that we’re dealing with.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T14:58:53.636Z">3.58pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>This is what<b> Len McCluskey</b>, the Unite general secretary, said at the press gallery lunch about Unite possibly no longer backing Labour after the 2015 election.</p><p>Can I even envisage a rule conference voting to disaffiliate from Labour?</p><p>I can do. That is a challenge to Ed Miliband because I believe the Labour party is at a crossroads.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T14:49:33.486Z">3.49pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Here's a politics afternoon reading list.</p><p><a href="http://www.progressonline.org.uk/2014/04/01/the-12-per-cent-strategy/">• Stephen Bush at Progress Online says, if the Ukip vote falls after the European eletions, Labour could be in trouble.</a></p><p>A higher profile is a double-edged sword; and just as Cleggmania waned under the spotlight, so too will Faragism.</p><p>But what then would happen to Labour? After a torrid fortnight, the party has retained a narrow lead, with Ukip at around 15 per cent in the polls. Reduce their vote share even to eight per cent (assume for a moment that one percent of that ends up voting Labour, two per cent stays home and watches TV, and the remainder goes for David Cameron) and suddenly, Labour is behind. And that is before the Liberal Democrats try and take votes off Labour. That is before you factor out any voters who will either be drawn from Labour to Tory by Lynton Crosby; or simply put off voting entirely.</p><p>[Stevens] is scathing about the way that almost all NHS reorganisations focus on ‘rearranging the administrative deckchairs’ rather than transforming patient care. As he puts it: ‘How can a quarter of NHS trusts get away with having their “value for money” accounts qualified by their auditors? How can a fifth of hospitals treat their older patients without dignity or compassion? And how is it that a single hospital in mid-Staffordshire could have been responsible for killing its patients at a level equivalent to two or more Lockerbie air crashes, yet apparently no one noticed or did anything?’</p><p>Stevens’s passion is transparency. He wants patients to have access to the same knowledge as their doctors. At UnitedHealth, he developed a system for ranking 250,000 doctors against national standards of care, and then ranking them again on value for money. This meant, in effect, listing the best doctors by price. Such transparency makes NHS bureaucrats recoil in horror — but it works. This system, applied to organ transplants, has led to a 5 per cent improvement in outcomes — and halved costs. As he puts it: a good health system requires transparency, the sharing of data and empowered patients.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T14:09:20.724Z">3.09pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Here's a snap summary of the main points of Len McCluskey's speech to the Commons press gallery, based on reports from colleagues on Twitter.</p><p><b>• McCluskey said he could imagine Unite changing its relationship with Labour.</b> If Labour loses in 2015, the union could reconsider its stance on donations, he said. (If Unite were to support another party, it would be thrown out of Labour. That's what happened to the RMT.)</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T14:01:12.167Z">3.01pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>And this might not be one of the most newsy revelations, but it's one of the most intriguing.</p><p>Len jokes that he and Miliband "go walking on Sundays and it's very, very pleasant"</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T13:58:57.670Z">2.58pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>McCluskey said Labour is at a crossroads and if it loses next May then he can see his union voting to change its rules on donations.</p><p>McCluskey says he "walks a tightrope" wanting to speak for the "progressive left" without handing ammunition to the Tories.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T13:56:12.676Z">2.56pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>As so often happens, the best lines often come out at the end.</p><p>Len Mccluskey lunch: "They (Labour leadership) come up with ideas but no one seems to be pulling them together in a coherent way."</p><p>Unite's Len McCluskey says he can envisage the union splitting from Labour. Says the party and Miliband are at a crossroads. Big statement</p><p>Len McCluskey says he "can envisage" Unite giving money to parties other than Labour. "I fear for the future of the Labour Party"</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T13:51:18.380Z">2.51pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>"Red Len" McCluskey becomes 1st union gen sec at Press Gallery lunch. Begins with funny "working class joke" with F-word about brass band.</p><p>McCluskey tells Press Gallery Govt's Carr review on unions distraction. Says Unite has launched leverage campaign against NHS privatisation.</p><p>Len McCluskey says "democracy needs real choices &amp; real alternatives". "Variations of austerity will not excite" voters. Who could he mean?</p><p>Len McC tells me Unite will stay neutral in Scots ref debate. "If the union came out against ind it would split our union down the middle."</p><p>Len McC says 40% of Unite members in Scotland voted SNP in Scots Pt elections. Usually 80% Labour. Alex Salmond "charging up Lab left wing".</p><p>Len McC says Labour MPs grumbling because "there's no cohesive vision emerging". "If it's a pale shade of austerity Lab will be defeated."</p><p>Len McCluskey says Labour voting for the welfare cap is *not* the way to reconnect with 'ordinary people'. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23pressgallerylunch&amp;src=hash">#pressgallerylunch</a></p><p>Len adds that No campaign on <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23indyref&amp;src=hash">#indyref</a> is in danger of being too negative.</p><p>Len McCluskey says he wouldn't stand for Labour as an MP...unless Ed Miliband personally knocked on his door and asked him</p><p>Len McCluskey says if PR ever existed in UK and a workers party stood, he may well vote for it rather than Labour.</p><p>Unite's Len McCluskey makes good point if unions not banksters created the economic calamity he'd be in Wormwood Scrubs</p><p>Greedy capitalists have captured every political party to some degree says Unite's Len McCluskey in dig at Miliband &amp; Labour</p><p>Now Len McCluskey says Miliband should be proud of the Labour-union link instead of letting Cons push him around</p><p>Len McCluskey says Ed Miliband should 'stand up and be proud' about being a member of Unite 'and not run away from it' <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23pressgallerylunch&amp;src=hash">#pressgallerylunch</a></p><p>Len McCluskey says he used to be against PR. "I have now given up on a socialist Valhalla, so I'm rethinking my position on PR," he says.</p><p>Asked if he has full confidence in Douglas Alexander, Len McCluskey says, cryptically, "Yeah, he's our leader"</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T13:37:01.773Z">2.37pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>That's probably all I'm going to get from the press conference. BBC News and Sky have given up their live coverage.</p><p>Len McCluskey is speaking at a press gallery lunch now. I will post the highlights from Twitter.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T13:36:34.293Z">2.36pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><i>Q: [To Cameron] What is your issue with the Muslim Brotherhood? (See <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2014/apr/01/boris-johnsons-lbc-phone-in-politics-live-blog#block-533a7a7fe4b03f2475aef646" style="background-color: rgb(245, 245, 245);">9.40am.)</a></i><br></p><p>Cameron says the government is opposed to violent extremism, but also extremism. It wants to challenge the narrative some extremist groups have put out.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T13:29:18.371Z">2.29pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>They are now taking quesgions.</p><p><i>Q: [To Renzi] Do you agree with Cameron about wanting to repatriate powers from the EU.</i></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T13:21:36.319Z">2.21pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Matteo Renzi says having the UK in Europe is "essential".</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T13:20:48.016Z">2.20pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>David Cameron ends by saying prime ministers seem to be getting younger all the time.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matteo_Renzi"> (Matteo Renzi is only 39.) </a></p><p>Renzi starts in English, saying how pleased he was to be in the UK. He switches to Italian, but goes back to English when he emphasises he desire for a better Europe, not a bigger Europe.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T13:16:54.151Z">2.16pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><b>David Cameron</b> is opening the press conference.</p><p>He says he wants to strengthen ties with Italy.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T13:11:30.186Z">2.11pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>David Cameron will be holding his press conference with the Italian prime minister, Matteo Renzi, shortly.</p><p>Italian Prime Minister <a href="https://twitter.com/matteorenzi">@matteorenzi</a> has arrived at No 10 for a meeting with David Cameron <a href="http://t.co/uL4tZ2iCAM">pic.twitter.com/uL4tZ2iCAM</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T13:07:14.817Z">2.07pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><b>• Vince Cable, the business secretary, has refused to apologise for his handling of the Royal Mail privatisation.</b> Responding to an urgent question from Labour about today's NAO report criticising the flotation, he conceded that some lessons could be learnt about the technical aspects of the sell-off (see <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2014/apr/01/boris-johnsons-lbc-phone-in-politics-live-blog#block-533aac0be4b03f2475aef70b">1.08pm),</a> but he also insisted that trying to sell the shares for a higher price could have led to the whole flotation failing.</p><p>A more aggressive approach to pricing would have introduced significantly greater risk and the advice that we received in this respect was unambiguous. There was no confidence that a sufficient number of buyers would offer a significantly higher price, a failed transaction and retention of the Royal Mail in public ownership would have been a very poor outcome for the taxpayer as the NAO report confirms.</p><p>You know it's April Fool's Day when a report is published by the National Audit Office saying 'the department could have achieved better value for the taxpayer' and then ministers go out on to the media and then come to this House and then declare their privatisation a success. They must think we're all fools. What planet are they living on? There are no two ways about it - this report delivers a damaging verdict on the government's botched privatisation and it has left taxpayers disgracefully short-changed to the tune of hundreds of millions of pounds.</p><p>The economic plans we're implementing mean the Conservatives are now the real party of labour.</p><p>A national meeting of senior lay representatives unanimously agreed to consult our 220,000 on the offer. The meeting agreed to recommend that members reject this offer and that they be asked if they will support industrial action. Council staff have had only a 1% pay rise in the last five years and it is a terrible indictment that the national minimum wage has caught up with them. </p><p>Many of us felt hugely hopeful about the government's ability to initiate innovation but I wonder whether that's going to be matched by the Government's ability to tell the truth. If you look at this report from the NSPCC, the most alarming aspect of what they present is the huge discrepancy between the figures of children who are classified as needing support and potentially what those figures could be. The reason they [local councils] don't give it to you is because if they declared the real numbers they would go bankrupt.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T12:22:25.348Z">1.22pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Labour's<b> Tom Blenkinsop</b> asks about the table on page 48 <a href="http://www.nao.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/The-privatisation-of-royal-mail.pdf">of the report (pdf).</a></p><p>It's this one, showing how many of the "priority investors" sold their shares soon after flotation. "Priority investors" who became net sellers of shares in the first few weeks of trading are on the left, in purple, and net buyers are on the right, in green.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T12:14:34.128Z">1.14pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Labour's<b> Steve McCabe</b> asks if Cable regards this as a personal triumph.</p><p>Cable says the flotation was a success.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T12:13:37.993Z">1.13pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Labour's <b>Nia Griffith</b> asks for an assurance that the government will not sell the Land Registry.</p><p>Cable says the government is looking at this at the moment. There are arguments for and against bringing in private partners.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T12:12:34.727Z">1.12pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Labour's <b>Nick Smith</b> says the Royal Mail's property portfolio has turned into a goldmine for speculators.</p><p>Cable says that the Royal Mail's property portfolio was independently valued before the sale.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T12:11:35.069Z">1.11pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><b>Emily Thornberry</b>, a Labour MP, asks Cable to condemn the way the Mount Pleasant Royal Mail site in London has been sold off, with very little space allocated for social housing.</p><p>Cable says that planning decision was not for him.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T12:10:15.059Z">1.10pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><b>Philip Hollobone,</b> a Conservative, asks what the average stake that "posties" have in Royal Mail is worth.</p><p>Cable says the average stake is worth £4,000.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T12:09:28.253Z">1.09pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><b>Richard Fuller</b>, a Conservative, asks about the conditions for workers.</p><p>Cable says the CWU union reached a good deal with the Royal Mail. There were many job losses when it was in state hands, he says.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T12:08:37.106Z">1.08pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Labour's<b> Andrew Love </b>asks Cable to order a review of what happened.</p><p>Cable says there were many positive aspects of this. But there are lessons to be learnt from the technical aspects of the flotation, he says. The government will look at those.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T12:07:00.812Z">1.07pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Labour's <b>David Hanson</b> asks Cable if he can understand why people who don't own Royal Mail shares feel ripped off?</p><p>Cable says many of those without shares actually do own shares through pension companies. So the benefits are being spread, he says.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T12:05:56.631Z">1.05pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><b>Sir Peter Luff</b>, a Conservative, says the privatisation of Royal Mail will enable it to compete more successfully.</p><p>Cable agrees.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T12:04:49.861Z">1.04pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Labour's<b> Pat Glass </b>says the price of a first class stamp has risen by more than inflation. What will the government do to protect consumers?</p><p>Cable says stamp prices are regulated by Postcomm.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T12:03:38.538Z">1.03pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><b>Kevin Brennan</b>, the Labour MP, says 70% of shares went to hedge funds. And they give £3m to the Tories.</p><p>Cable says only one hedge fund took a significant stake in the Royal Mail. And now it has sold most of its shares, he says.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T12:02:34.130Z">1.02pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Labour's<b> Ann McKechin</b> asks Cable to rule out any bonuses to Goldman Sachs. They made money from selling Royal Mail shares, as well as from advising the government. That was a gross conflict of interest, she says.</p><p>Cable says no bonuses are being paid.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T12:01:34.896Z">1.01pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Labour's<b> Jeremy Corbyn</b> asks what the loss of profits to the taxpayer has been from the privatisation.</p><p>Cable says the NAO does not say this. It says that the Royal Mail would have been worth less if it had remained in state hands.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T11:59:07.976Z">12.59pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><b>Ben Wallace</b>, a Conservative, says he used to work for Qinetic. Labour should apologise for that privatisation.</p><p>Cable says that privatisation was "an utter scandal".</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T11:57:51.830Z">12.57pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><b>Ben Bradshaw</b>, the Labour former culture secretary, says anyone accused of such "ruinous incompetence" should consider resignation. Has Cable?</p><p>No, says Cable. The NAO confirms the flotation was a success, he says.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T11:57:00.503Z">12.57pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Cable says the threat of industrial action had a "depressive" effect on the Royal Mail share price.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T11:56:16.845Z">12.56pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Back in the Commons, the SNP <b>Pete Wishart</b> says the Scots opposed Royal Mail privatisation. What can they do to get the postal services they want?</p><p>Vince Cable says the SNP is committed to renationalising the Royal Mail if Scotland gets independence. But it has not said how it would pay for it, he says.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T11:54:12.957Z">12.54pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Here are the main points from Cable's statement.</p><p><b>• Cable refused to apologise for the Royal Mail flotation. </b></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T11:49:21.014Z">12.49pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Vince Cable is still replying.</p><p>He turns to the valuation.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T11:45:07.581Z">12.45pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><b>Vince Cable</b> says the last thing he will do is apologise.</p><p>He quotes from what the report said about the government achieving its primary objectives, and about the privatisation leading to less chance of the Royal Mail needing taxpayer support in future.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T11:39:58.165Z">12.39pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><b>Chuka Umunna </b>says you know it's April Fool's Day when the NAO criticises a sell-off, and ministers say its a success.</p><p>You can always sell shares, he says.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T11:37:46.841Z">12.37pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Some MPs should "disgrace" following Cable's statement.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T11:37:32.956Z">12.37pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><b>Vince Cable</b> says the NAO report confirms that the government achieved its primary purpose of achieving a successful sale.</p><p>This has resulted in the taxpayer no longer being responsible for the Royal Mail, he says.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T11:35:17.528Z">12.35pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><b>Chuka Umunna</b>, the shadow business secretary, asks Vince Cable to make a statement about the Royal Mail privatisation in the light of today's NAO report.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T11:34:05.804Z">12.34pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>And here is what two Labour MPs are saying about Vince Cable ahead of the UQ.</p><p>Best April Fool : Vince Cable saying Royal Mail sale was good vfm!</p><p><a href="https://twitter.com/ChukaUmunna">@ChukaUmunna</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/LBC973">@LBC973</a> Royal Mail privatisation was a bad idea, badly handled. Cable should hang his head in shame.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T11:29:12.153Z">12.29pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>David Leigh summarises the case against Vince Cable in five words.</p><p>"Mr Cable, you were had". Royal Mail sell-off: Chuka Umunna granted urgent Commons question <a href="http://t.co/ppttCSFBYP">http://t.co/ppttCSFBYP</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T11:23:02.509Z">12.23pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The Royal Mail UQ (urgent question) is at 12.30pm.</p><p>Before it starts, here's some background reading.</p><p>The government's desperation to sell <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk/royal-mail">Royal Mail</a> cost taxpayers £750m in a single day, the National Audit Office has said in a scathing report into the <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/privatisation">privatisation</a> of the 500-year-old national institution.</p><p>The public spending watchdog says the business secretary <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/vincentcable">Vince Cable</a> ploughed ahead with plans to float Royal Mail at a maximum price of 330p-a-share despite <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/oct/04/official-royal-mail-valuation-too-low">repeated warnings from City experts that the government had vastly undervalued the company</a>.</p><p>By floating Royal Mail on the Stock Exchange within this Parliament, the Government achieved its primary objective, according to the National Audit Office.</p><p>The spending watchdog considers, however, that the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills took a cautious approach to a number of issues which together resulted in the shares being priced at a level substantially below that at which they started trading. On the first day of trading, Royal Mail’s shares closed at 455 pence, 38 per cent higher than their sale price. This represented a first day increase in value of £750 million for the new shareholders. Five months later, the shares were worth 72 per cent more than the sale price and have traded in the range of 455 pence to 615 pence.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T11:17:02.946Z">12.17pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Vince Cable, the business secretary, will be responding to the urgent question at 12.30pm about the Royal Mail sell-off.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T11:13:02.407Z">12.13pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><b>Ed Balls</b> has delivered his speech to the British Chambers of Commerce conference.</p><p>MP Ed Balls: 'Vocational education should be a first class part of our curriculum' <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23BCCConf&amp;src=hash">#BCCConf</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/edballsmp">@edballsmp</a> <a href="http://t.co/S4LZ5xV6OG">pic.twitter.com/S4LZ5xV6OG</a></p><p>Only by backing entrepreneurs and supporting wealth creation can we generate the profits to finance investment and win the confidence of investors from round the world.</p><p> But at a time when most people in our country are seeing their living standards falling year on year, we cannot take public support for this open, global vision of a dynamic market economy for granted. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T10:49:51.449Z">11.49am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>It turns out that<b> Boris Johnson</b> was quoting Virgil when replied to a caller in Latin who said that he should be prime minister. (See<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2014/apr/01/boris-johnsons-lbc-phone-in-politics-live-blog#block-533a72bde4b03f2475aef62e"> 9.08am.)</a></p><p>This is from RClayton in the comments.</p><p>With a bit of replaying from the video stream, I think Boris' Latin tag was</p><p>Non tali auxilio nec defensoribus istis</p><p>Not such aid nor such defenders does the time require</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T10:24:56.539Z">11.24am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>There is an urgent question on the Royal Mail sell-off at 12.30pm.</p><p>Urgent Question granted to <a href="https://twitter.com/ChukaUmunna">@ChukaUmunna</a> at 1230 the price at which Royal Mail was privatised following NAO report</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T10:00:32.039Z">11.00am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>And while we're on polls, here are<a href="http://yougov.co.uk/news/2014/04/01/update-labour-lead-3/"> today's YouGov GB polling figures.</a></p><p>Labour: 37% (down 3 points from YouGov in the Sunday Times)</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T09:33:49.995Z">10.33am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Neither Nick Clegg nor Nigel Farage will be happy with <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2593685/Four-10-voters-fear-Nigel-Farage-danger-Britain-TV-debate-rival-Nick-Clegg-depth.html">a ComRes poll for MailOnline that has come out this morning.</a></p><p>It was conducted after last week's debate and it contains findings that both men should find worrying.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T09:11:42.822Z">10.11am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Here are the main points from Boris Johnson's LBC phone-in.</p><p><b>• Johnson said he had reservations about <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-26765540">Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe's call for the Metropolitan police to use a 50:50 quota system to increase the number of black recruits it takes on.</a></b> Johnson said he would consider the idea, and that he recognised that this approach had helped in Northern Ireland (in relation to Catholics), but that he had concerns about quotas leading to claims that officers were not being recruited on merit.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T08:51:42.452Z">9.51am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Nick Ferrari reminds Johnson that last month he said he might be able to help provide funds for <a href="http://www.raphael-samuel.org.uk/bethnal-green-disaster-memorial-project-0">a memorial for those killed in the Bethnal Green tube disaster during the second world war.</a> It was the worst civilian disaster of the war.</p><p>Johnson says he can announced that the mayoralty will provide £10,000 towards the cost of the memorial.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T08:47:25.284Z">9.47am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><i>Q: How will having body cameras on police officers work?</i></p><p>Johnson says he has seen the pilots for this. He thinks this initiative will work.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T08:44:52.148Z">9.44am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><i>Q: What went wrong with<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/mar/25/boris-johnson-london-silicon-roundabout-startup-competition-tech"> the £1m start-up competition?</a></i></p><p>Nothing, says Johnson.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T08:42:09.783Z">9.42am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><i>Q: Do you agree that retailers should have to supply a copy of the Highway Code with every bicycle sold?</i></p><p>Johnson says that is an interesting idea. He is instinctively opposed to regulation. But he will think about this.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T08:41:07.361Z">9.41am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Johnson says many people in London are deciding that they don't need car.</p><p>Car usage is starting to fall, he says. That's a good thing.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T08:40:08.988Z">9.40am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><i>Q: What do you think of the Times story today suggesting the Muslim Brotherhood are planning extremist activities in the UK.</i></p><p><a href="http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/uk/article4050750.ece">Here's an excerpt from the Times story (paywall).</a></p><p>David Cameron has ordered an urgent investigation into the Muslim Brotherhood amid fears that the Islamist organisation is planning extremist activities from Britain ...</p><p>MI5, Britain’s domestic intelligence agency, will also be asked to investigate how many senior leaders are based in this country after <a href="http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/world/middleeast/article3807072.ece" style="background-color: rgb(245, 245, 245);">last year’s military coup in Egypt</a>, which deposed Mohamed Morsi, the Muslim Brotherhood leader who was elected president ...</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T08:34:00.823Z">9.34am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><i>Q: Will you expand charging points for electric cars?</i></p><p>Johnson says he thinks there are 1,700 already.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T08:30:10.161Z">9.30am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><i>Q: If you built an airport in the Thames estuary, wouldn't it often be closed by fog?</i></p><p>Johnson says that there is no evidence that fog at a Thames estuary airport would be any worse than fog at Heathrow.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T08:27:22.718Z">9.27am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Johnson says that, if a new bridge is built across the Thames in east London, it will have to be toll bridge.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T08:23:03.161Z">9.23am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><i>Q: Do you agree that the shredding of police documents relating to the Stephen Lawrence inquiry was chaotic?</i></p><p>Johnson says this did not happen when Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe was in charge.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T08:20:48.915Z">9.20am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><i>Q: What do you think of the idea of the Met having a 50/50 quota for recruiting white officers and black and ethnic minority officers?</i></p><p>Johnson says he has huge respect for Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, the Met commissioner.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T08:16:15.656Z">9.16am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The next caller asks about a row between Johnson and London councils about affordable housing.</p><p>Johnson says the councils wanted to set a rate for affordable housing that would have meant developments not going ahead.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T08:11:20.251Z">9.11am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Boris Johnson asks Nick Ferrari if he will stand for London mayor. Ferrari does not reply. Johnson says that Ferrari has been reduced to "infantile aphasia". </p><p>(Covering Boris is always good for your vocabulary.)</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T08:08:03.280Z">9.08am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The first question is about last week's debate between Nick Clegg and Nigel Farage.</p><p><i>Q: Nigel Farage wants you to be leader of the Conservative party.</i></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2014-04-01T07:49:27.454Z">8.49am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>It's a bit patchy today. It's not exactly quiet, but it is hard to see what will turn out to be the best political story of the day.</p><p>Still, we've got 45 minutes of<b> Boris Johnson</b>, which is better than nothing. I tend to cover Johnson's LBC phone-ins on the grounds that's he's a very significant figure in Conservative politics who could end up prime minister. Interestingly,<a href="http://yougov.co.uk/news/2014/03/31/end-boris-bounce/"> YouGov's Peter Kellner has just published some research suggesting that it might be time to start selling shares in Johnson.</a> Here's an extract.</p><p>Eighteen months ago, YouGov provoked much of the talk about Boris’s nationwide appeal with a poll showing that the Tories would be doing far better with him as their leader. When we asked people how they would vote in a general election with the current party leaders, Labour (40%) enjoyed a six point lead over the Conservatives (34%). But when the same people were basked how they would vote were Boris the Tory leader, Labour’s lead fell to just a single point, 38-37%.</p><p>That poll, however, was conducted during the Olympic Games, for which Boris claimed much of the credit and secured acres of publicity. We have recently repeated the exercise. This time the Boris bounce virtually disappears: the Conservatives (32%) lag five points behind Labour (37%) under Cameron – and four points (33-37%) under Boris. Instead of an athletic bounce, we have a statistically trivial twitch.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2014/apr/01/boris-johnsons-lbc-phone-in-politics-live-blog">Continue reading...</a>PoliticsUK newsBoris JohnsonLondonDavid CameronItalyEuropeVince CableBusinessLen McCluskeyUniteTue, 01 Apr 2014 15:17:26 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2014/apr/01/boris-johnsons-lbc-phone-in-politics-live-blogPhotograph: REXDavid Cameron greets Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi at Number 10 Downing Street. Photograph: REXPhotograph: REXDavid Cameron greets Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi at Number 10 Downing Street. Photograph: REXAndrew Sparrow2014-04-01T15:17:26ZCosta Concordia: a floating RBS with a sudden liquidity problem | Michael Whitehttps://www.theguardian.com/world/blog/2012/jan/16/costa-concordia-floating-rbs-liquidity
The comparisons between failed banks and sinking boats are striking<p>Do you know what the overnight graphics <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/gallery/2012/jan/14/cruise-liner-runs-aground-in-pictures" title="">and pictures of the Costa Concordia's top-heavy hull</a> reminded me of? One of those fancy <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Credit_default_swap" title="">credit default swaps (CDS)</a> that helped to wreck much of the western banking system.</p><p>Dangerously over-engineered to make someone more money, it was self-evidently risky – as marine engineers have been warning, unheeded – and likely to fall over as soon as it hits the unexpected. For Bear Sterns or Royal Bank of Scotland, we can now read Costa Concordia.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/blog/2012/jan/16/costa-concordia-floating-rbs-liquidity">Continue reading...</a>Costa ConcordiaItalyWater transportWorld newsBankingBusinessBanking reformFinancial sectorRoyal Bank of ScotlandPoliticsUK newsMon, 16 Jan 2012 12:38:35 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/world/blog/2012/jan/16/costa-concordia-floating-rbs-liquidityPhotograph: News Pictures / Rex FeaturesThe Costa Concordia cruise ship. Photograph: News Pictures / Rex FeaturesPhotograph: News Pictures / Rex FeaturesThe Costa Concordia cruise ship. Photograph: News Pictures / Rex FeaturesMichael White2012-01-16T12:38:35ZGeorge Osborne prepares for run on banks in troubled eurozone countrieshttps://www.theguardian.com/politics/wintour-and-watt/2011/nov/29/georgeosborne-autumn-statement-20111
Tories warn of collapse of eurozone and danger of a depression as Germany is criticised for slow response<p>George Osborne said in his <a href="http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/press_136_11.htm">autumn statement</a> on Tuesday that the Treasury is "undertaking extensive contingency planning" in response to the eurozone crisis.</p><p>The chancellor gave little detail of this planning. This was in line with the decision of the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) not to assess the impact on Britain's economic growth of a "disorderly outcome" to the eurozone crisis.</p><p>The five to midnight scenario will be a run on the banks in Greece, Italy and Portugal. Spain is fine. There is already a drawdown from banks. But we haven't got to a run on the banks yet.</p><p>If the European summit could reach a deal on December 9, its next scheduled meeting, the eurozone will survive. If not, it risks a violent collapse. Even then, there is still a risk of a long recession, possibly a depression.</p><p>A depression will mean we won't be able to take money out of holes in the wall.</p><p>The disaster will hit a lot quicker than people have realised. There is a good chance the eurozone will split up.</p><p>Wolfgang Schäuble is the most dangerous man in Europe. Born in 1942, he was brought up in the embers of post war Germany. He is going to have to end up writing a cheque for well over €1tn euros. It would have been a few hundred billion if Germany had acted sooner.</p><p>For all the parallels, I still cannot bring myself to believe that we are heading back to the 1930s.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/wintour-and-watt/2011/nov/29/georgeosborne-autumn-statement-20111">Continue reading...</a>George OsborneAutumn statement 2011Eurozone crisisEuroEuroBankingMervyn KingBank of EnglandItalyPortugalGreeceSpainOffice for Budget ResponsibilityEuropean UnionEuropean Central BankAngela MerkelGermanyFinancial TimesPoliticsUK newsWorld newsBusinessEconomic policyTue, 29 Nov 2011 23:50:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/wintour-and-watt/2011/nov/29/georgeosborne-autumn-statement-20111Photograph: Fiona Hanson/PAGeorge Osborne fears a run on the banks in Italy and other troubled eurozone members. Photograph: Fiona Hanson/PAPhotograph: Fiona Hanson/PAGeorge Osborne fears a run on the banks in Italy and other troubled eurozone members. Photograph: Fiona Hanson/PANicholas Watt2011-11-29T23:50:00ZJohn Major and Ed Balls top list of five Britons who kept UK out of eurohttps://www.theguardian.com/politics/wintour-and-watt/2011/nov/24/john-major-davidcameron
Former prime minister gave Britain a legal right to stay out of euro which shadow chancellor exploited in full<p>Matthew Parris reminded us over the weekend that history has, so far, been unkind to Sir John Major. The world, Parris wrote, simply decided Major was "hapless".</p><p>Margaret Thatcher, on the other hand, will always be seen as the decisive Iron Lady.</p><p>We were very concerned that there wouldn't be convergence, by which piece of jargon we meant that the southern European states wouldn't be able to compete with Germany within a single currency on a level basis. Of course in 1991 Germany was still unifying; but we looked forward to when she'd have a much more powerful economy and ask ourselves whether the southern states would compete. We didn't think so, and we thought that would be chaotic.</p><p>The second reason was that we thought having a unification of monetary policy without a unification of fiscal policy would be likely to end in difficulties. We thought countries wouldn't control their deficits in essence and that's exactly what happened. We tried to cover that – a British suggestion by proposing in the Maastricht Treaty that no country should have a fiscal deficit above 3% of GDP. That was agreed, but alas it wasn't kept to. Germany broke that, France broke that everybody else broke it and then you got huge debt beginning to build up. </p><p>If countries are affected differently by an economic event – such as an oil shock or German unification – then the desired policy response will not be the same. Tying countries together under these circumstances means large and persistent regional problems – slow growth and high unemployment in different European countries, precisely what has occurred in Europe since German unification.</p><p>In short, monetary union, in the manner and timetable envisaged in the [1991 Maastricht] treaty, is an economically and politically misconceived project. Imposing the same monetary policy on the whole of Europe, without automatic fiscal stabilisers, would mean persistent regional growth and unemployment differentials within the Community, with all the political and social dislocation that brings. Already, Europe is plagued by right-wing nationalism and opposition to the European project as a result of the slow growth and high unemployment that the inflexible version of the ERM has brought.</p><p>The mistake is to let economic schemes run ahead of political realities. The goal of a single European currency, like an ever closer union, is not inherently misconceived. But to work, it requires a much closer degree of social and political cohesion and integration than Europe is likely to achieve in this decade or probably the next too.</p><p>Little convergence has occurred since 1987 and there has also been little improvement in levels of performance. Yet, of the large countries, only Italy's position looks hopeless, the main problem being its public finances. To converge on the EC's average ratio of public sector debt to GDP even over 10 years, its budget deficit needs to improve by a daunting 8 percentage points of GDP.</p><p>Either Italy manages an unprecedented budgetary transformation, or it defaults on its debts, or it will be excluded from Emu, or the criteria will be ignored. There are no other alternatives. *</p><p>In applying our economic tests, two things are clear: there is no realistic prospect of our having demonstrated before the end of this Parliament that we have achieved convergence that is sustainable and settled rather than transitory; and Government have only just begun to put in place the necessary preparations that would allow us to do so. Other countries have for some years been making detailed preparations for a single currency. For all the reasons given, we have not.</p><p>Therefore, barring some fundamental or unforeseen change in economic circumstances, making a decision to join during this Parliament is not realistic. It is therefore sensible for business and the country to plan on the basis that, in this Parliament, we do not propose to enter a single currency.</p><p>Whether you agree with me, disagree with me, like me or loathe me, don't bind my hands when I am negotiating on behalf of the British people.</p><p>As long as our party is distracted by endless debates on the single currency we will always have one hand tied behind our backs. I want to free everyone in the party, whatever their views on the single currency, to fight this government with both hands and provide an alternative to it.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/wintour-and-watt/2011/nov/24/john-major-davidcameron">Continue reading...</a>John MajorDavid CameronEuroEuroEuropean UnionEd BallsGordon BrownWilliam HagueFinancial TimesPoliticsMargaret ThatcherTony BlairEdward HeathFranceGermanyItalyBusinessEurozone crisisWorld newsUK newsGeorge OsborneKenneth ClarkeThu, 24 Nov 2011 20:08:10 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/wintour-and-watt/2011/nov/24/john-major-davidcameronPhotograph: Martin ArglesJohn Major, pictured with Margaret Thatcher at the 1996 Conservative Party Conference, did more than anyone else to keep Britain out of the euro. Photograph: Martin ArglesPhotograph: Martin ArglesJohn Major, pictured with Margaret Thatcher at the 1996 Conservative Party Conference, did more than anyone else to keep Britain out of the euro. Photograph: Martin ArglesNicholas Watt2011-11-24T20:08:10ZAngela Merkel to David Cameron: support us or we leave UK behindhttps://www.theguardian.com/politics/wintour-and-watt/2011/nov/11/davidcameron-angela-merkel
German chancellor told prime minister that eurozone countries are prepared to draw up their own treaty without Britain<p>All roads may lead to Rome but in the shaping of today's Europe they went via Sicily.</p><p>The allies began their slow campaign to win control of continental Europe in the second world war when Operation Husky, the invasion of Sicily, was launched in July 1943. A decade later, the key step towards the creation of the EEC was taken in Sicily at the Messina Conference in June 1955. Two years later the EEC was formally established in the Treaty of Rome signed in March 1957.</p><p><br>Angela Merkel said to David Cameron: either you allow us to go ahead with treaty change at 27 or others [Nicolas Sarkozy] will want a separate treaty with separate institutions for the 17. She said she did not want that but others did.</p><p><br>The speed of the European Union, and a fortiori of the euro area, cannot be the speed of its slowest member or its most reluctant member.</p><p>It is time to admit that the enlargement of the EU from 15 to 27 members was too rapid.</p><p>...there is the politically tricky issue of how to maintain democratic control of decision-making within the present institutional framework. Far better would be to consider a two-speed EU, which would include an avant-garde group, probably based on the current 17 members of the euro area.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/wintour-and-watt/2011/nov/11/davidcameron-angela-merkel">Continue reading...</a>David CameronAngela MerkelNicolas SarkozyEuroEuroPoliticsEuropean UnionUK newsWorld newsEurozone crisisFranceItalyGreeceSecond world warSilvio BerlusconiEuropean commissionFri, 11 Nov 2011 01:17:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/wintour-and-watt/2011/nov/11/davidcameron-angela-merkelPhotograph: Getty ImagesAngela Merkel, pictured with David Cameron at the G20 summit, told the prime minister last month that eurozone countries are prepared to draw up their own treaty. Photograph: Getty ImagesPhotograph: Getty ImagesAngela Merkel, pictured with David Cameron at the G20 summit, told the prime minister last month that eurozone countries are prepared to draw up their own treaty. Photograph: Getty ImagesNicholas Watt2011-11-11T01:17:00ZArab spring + European autumn = Mediterranean crisis | Michael Whitehttps://www.theguardian.com/business/blog/2011/nov/10/arab-spring-european-autumn-mediterranean-crisis
Almost all the countries round the Med are gripped by instability or uncertainty<p>We talk about the world economic crisis, though Asians sometimes prefers to see it as a north Atlantic crisis and a few Brits as the eurozone crisis. It is all of those things, but seen through a less self-centred prism it is also a crisis of the Mediterranean, one of the oldest and most fruitful nurseries of human progress in history.</p><p>The Mediterranean crisis is not confined to Italy or Greece, tottering as both now are, threatening to inflict a fresh recession – or worse – on the wider EU.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/blog/2011/nov/10/arab-spring-european-autumn-mediterranean-crisis">Continue reading...</a>Eurozone crisisArab and Middle East unrestWorld newsEuropean banksBusinessLibyaMiddle East and North AfricaAfricaEgyptLebanonIsraelFranceEuropeItalyAlgeriaMoroccoTunisiaPoliticsUK newsThu, 10 Nov 2011 14:20:37 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/business/blog/2011/nov/10/arab-spring-european-autumn-mediterranean-crisisPhotograph: APSatellite image of the north African coastline and the Mediterranean sea. Photograph: APPhotograph: APSatellite image of the north African coastline and the Mediterranean sea. Photograph: APMichael White2011-11-10T14:20:37ZThe Little Englanders marginalising Britain to play to the gallery | Michael Whitehttps://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2011/nov/09/little-englanders-marginalising-britain-europe
By backing the government's line that Britain should not increase its IMF contribution, Labour is pandering to the unappeasable Eurosceptic faction<p>So Silvio Berlusconi's grubby fingers have <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/nov/08/silvio-berlusconi-to-resign-italy" title="">finally been prised off the levers of power in Rome</a> – at least in theory. <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/nov/09/timeline-silvio-berlusconi-italy-euro-elections" title="">About time, too, for a rogue who shafted his country</a>.</p><p>Who does that leave as the EU's most unreliable national leader? It's a hotly contested field but, for shortsighted tactical manoeuvres based largely on domestic party calculation, David Cameron must be be in with a chance. But is Ed Miliband's Labour party far behind?</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2011/nov/09/little-englanders-marginalising-britain-europe">Continue reading...</a>PoliticsLiberal-Conservative coalitionConservativesEconomic policyForeign policyLabourDavid CameronGeorge OsborneEd MilibandEd BallsEuropean UnionEurozone crisisSilvio BerlusconiItalyGermanyFranceWed, 09 Nov 2011 11:11:11 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2011/nov/09/little-englanders-marginalising-britain-europePhotograph: Toby Melville/ReutersDavid Cameron has placated Euroscpetic backbenchers and party activists. Photograph: Toby Melville/ReutersPhotograph: Toby Melville/ReutersDavid Cameron has placated Euroscpetic backbenchers and party activists. Photograph: Toby Melville/ReutersMichael White2011-11-09T11:11:11ZBritain turns on 'disreputable' Germany as relations sour over eurozone crisishttps://www.theguardian.com/politics/wintour-and-watt/2011/nov/05/g20-euro
Whitehall says Germany should be more flexible in eurozone crisis after single currency boosted its economy in first decade<p>Downing Street inadvertently provided a reminder last week of the depth of Britain's ties with Germany.</p><p>In a briefing on the merits of David Cameron's <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/oct/28/commonwealth-royalty-succession-change">plans to end male primogeniture</a> in the royal line of succession, No 10 pointed out that Queen Victoria's daughter would have succeeded her if the rules had been in place in 1901. Downing Street overlooked the fact that this would have meant that Kaiser Wilhelm II would have been our King during the First World War. Britain's monarch would now be Princess Marie Cécile of Prussia.</p><p>People are slowly waking up to Germany's disreputable behaviour in this whole saga. Their growth over the last decade was in large part down to countries like Greece buying German goods after racking up public and private debt because they had German levels of interest rates after joining the euro. And now Germany is dictating in very harsh terms what they should be doing. This shows how lucky we are that we are not in the euro.</p><p>Germany's priority is rules establishing unprecedented oversight of euro-zone economies. If Britain asks too high a price for its consent, Germany will reluctantly agree to a new treaty outside the EU system. This, it is expected, would involve more than 17 countries but fewer than 27. Britain would lose its veto.</p><p>Schäuble, who held talks with George Osborne, had an important message for Britain: forget any attempts to use the eurozone crisis to repatriate EU social and employment laws.</p><p>Fundamental questions are being asked about the future of the eurozone and, therefore, the shape of the EU itself. Opportunities to advance our national interest are clearly becoming apparent. We should focus on how to make the most of this, rather than pursuing a parliamentary process for a multiple-choice referendum. As yesterday's Council conclusions made clear, changes to the EU treaties need the agreement of all 27 member states. Every country can wield a veto until its needs are met. I share the yearning for fundamental reform and am determined to deliver it.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/wintour-and-watt/2011/nov/05/g20-euro">Continue reading...</a>G20EuroEuroEuropean UnionGermanyAngela MerkelPoliticsDavid CameronNicolas SarkozyCommonwealth summitFirst world warGreeceItalyEuropean Central BankConservativesGeorge OsborneSat, 05 Nov 2011 01:34:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/wintour-and-watt/2011/nov/05/g20-euroPhotograph: Francois Lenoir/ReutersAngela Merkel and David Cameron pictured at an EU in October last year in happier times. Photograph: Francois Lenoir/ReutersPhotograph: Francois Lenoir/ReutersAngela Merkel and David Cameron pictured at an EU in October last year in happier times. Photograph: Francois Lenoir/ReutersNicholas Watt2011-11-05T01:34:00ZHas George Osborne shown it is time to stop being beastly to the Germans?https://www.theguardian.com/politics/wintour-and-watt/2011/oct/03/georgeosborne-euro
Chancellor of the Exchequer overlooks German concerns about single currency as he mocks 'headlong' rush to form euro<p>In the early autumn of 1989 George Osborne was eighteen. This means that the mind of the future chancellor may have been on other matters when the Warsaw Pact started to crumble.</p><p>In September 1989 Hungary unilaterally opened its border with Austria for citizens of East Germans who then poured, in their tens of thousands, into West Germany. Within months the Berlin Wall fell and the rest of Europe was faced with a challenge: would a unified Germany be a threat or a blessing?</p><p>Our European neighbours plunged headlong into the euro without thinking through the consequences. How could they believe that countries like Germany and Greece could share the same currency when they had vastly different economies and no mechanism to adjust?</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/wintour-and-watt/2011/oct/03/georgeosborne-euro">Continue reading...</a>George OsborneBusinessEuroEuroConservative conference 2011GermanyMargaret ThatcherFrancePoliticsJohn MajorTony BlairGordon BrownEd BallsGreeceSpainItalyPortugalUK newsMon, 03 Oct 2011 14:23:51 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/wintour-and-watt/2011/oct/03/georgeosborne-euroPhotograph: GERARD MALIE/AFP/Getty ImagesThe fall of the Berlin Wall in November 1989 sparked alarm in France and Britain and eventually led to the creation of the euro. Photograph: GERARD MALIE/AFP/Getty ImagesPhotograph: GERARD MALIE/AFP/Getty ImagesThe fall of the Berlin Wall in November 1989 sparked alarm in France and Britain and eventually led to the creation of the euro. Photograph: GERARD MALIE/AFP/Getty ImagesNicholas Watt2011-10-03T14:23:51ZMiniskirt ban: a small, incompetent step backwards | Michael Whitehttps://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2010/oct/26/miniskirt-ban-italy-michael-white
Men who send other men out to censor women's dress code are asking for trouble and regressing towards Taliban-esque habits of mind and action<p>What a treat! Yet again, an elected official in a small town has decided to ban miniskirts, low-slung jeans and excess cleavage from being displayed in his territory. And yet again, the usual suspects have risen to the bait, denouncing the offender for male chauvinism and other crimes against women.</p><p>Is it a policy for the coalition to adopt now the post-cuts polls are a bit fragile? Or would it prove divisive?</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2010/oct/26/miniskirt-ban-italy-michael-white">Continue reading...</a>PoliticsItalyWorld newsTue, 26 Oct 2010 11:08:59 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2010/oct/26/miniskirt-ban-italy-michael-whitePhotograph: CHRIS MOOREThe mayor of a resort near Naples will fine women who wear 'very short' miniskirts. Photograph: Chris MoorePhotograph: CHRIS MOOREThe mayor of a resort near Naples will fine women who wear 'very short' miniskirts. Photograph: Chris MooreMichael White2010-10-26T11:08:59ZSimon Cowell's Political X Factor? Thanks but no thankshttps://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2009/dec/14/simon-cowell-political-x-factor-michael-white
With the likes of Berlusconi and Blair on the scene we already have all the political populism we can handle<p>What do Silvio Berlusconi and The X Factor's Simon Cowell have in common? As of this morning, showbusiness and politics.</p><p>No, no one's clocked Cowell <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/dec/14/silvio-berlusconi-milan-statue-attack" title="with a metal model of Milan's Duomo cathedral and broken a couple of teeth">with a metal model of Milan's duomo and broken a couple of teeth</a>, though <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2009/dec/14/review-mark-lawson-x-factor" title="Mark Lawson's review of last night's final">Mark Lawson's review of last night's final</a> suggests that plenty of people would like to have a go.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2009/dec/14/simon-cowell-political-x-factor-michael-white">Continue reading...</a>PoliticsUK newsThe X FactorSimon CowellMediaTelevisionTelevision & radioTelevision industryCultureTony BlairSilvio BerlusconiWorld newsItalyEuropeMon, 14 Dec 2009 11:12:16 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2009/dec/14/simon-cowell-political-x-factor-michael-whitePhotograph: Ken McKay/Ken McKay / Rex FeaturesSimon Cowell (left) with Joe McElderry and Dermot O'Leary on The X-Factor yesterday. Photograph: Ken McKay/Rex FeaturesPhotograph: Ken McKay/Ken McKay / Rex FeaturesSimon Cowell (left) with Joe McElderry and Dermot O'Leary on The X-Factor yesterday. Photograph: Ken McKay/Rex FeaturesMichael White2009-12-14T11:12:16ZItaly's crucifix case and UK's climate change decision: for God's sake leave religion out of this | Michael Whitehttps://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2009/nov/04/italy-crucifix-climate-change-god
Where did Soile Lautsi think she was moving to, Thailand? And why has Tim Nicholson played into the hands of the anti-climate change lobby?<p>Cheer up. The leaves may be coming off the trees, the nights are drawing in. But we are not alone in breeding idiots, as we sometimes tell each other in our egotistical way. Finland bred Soile Lautsi without British help.</p><p>Who she? No, not <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/nov/03/david-cameron-lisbon-treaty-referendum" title="David Cameron's European policy adviser">David Cameron's European policy adviser</a> or even a board member at General Motors, whose <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/nov/04/generalmotors-vauxhall" title="overnight U-turn over the sale of Opel and Vauxhall">overnight U-turn over the sale of Opel and Vauxhall</a> demonstrates how a once-great car company can be ploughed into the ground in the ruins of Detroit.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2009/nov/04/italy-crucifix-climate-change-god">Continue reading...</a>PoliticsUK newsItalyClimate changeEnvironmentCatholicismWorld newsEuropeWed, 04 Nov 2009 11:01:59 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2009/nov/04/italy-crucifix-climate-change-godMichael White2009-11-04T11:01:59ZBerlusconi and Sarkozy's woes should put our own politics in perspective | Michael Whitehttps://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2009/oct/08/berlusconi-sarkozy-politics-michael-white
One way or another we have had a very bad political year, but, however imperfectly, the system still functions in troubled times<p>Good news from the Italian constitutional court, whose ruling against <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/oct/08/sivlio-berlusconi-immunity-law-overturned" title="Silvio Berlusconi's Animal Farm defence">Silvio Berlusconi's Animal Farm defence</a> (that he is "first above equals") brings closer the moment when the old rogue will be driven from public life. The safety of the republic depends upon it.</p><p>But what comparative light does it shed on our own politics? A comforting one, I hope, and seek only to make this simple point. One way or another we have had a very bad political year, but, however imperfectly, the system still functions in troubled times.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2009/oct/08/berlusconi-sarkozy-politics-michael-white">Continue reading...</a>Conservative conference 2009Labour conference 2009Liberal Democrat conference 2009PoliticsUK newsConservativesConservative conferenceLabourLabour conferenceLiberal Democrat conferenceLiberal DemocratsProportional representationConstitutional reformMPs' expensesSilvio BerlusconiItalyWorld newsNicolas SarkozyFranceEuropean UnionTony BlairEuropeThu, 08 Oct 2009 09:50:19 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2009/oct/08/berlusconi-sarkozy-politics-michael-whiteMichael White2009-10-08T09:50:19ZSilvio Berlusconi embarrasses Gordon Brown over windfall taxhttps://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2008/sep/10/gordonbrown.energy
<p>Silvio Berlusconi - hero of the left. That's not the way the bandana-wearing plutocrat is normally perceived, but that's the impression the Italian prime minister created at a slightly surreal press conference with Gordon Brown this afternoon.</p><p>Although Brown has all but ruled out a windfall tax on energy companies, it turns out that his rightwing Italian counterpart has had no qualms about introducing one of his own. It is known as the <a href="http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/a5a4518a-4150-11dd-9661-0000779fd2ac.html">Robin Hood tax</a>, and, according to Berlusconi, it's gone down a storm.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2008/sep/10/gordonbrown.energy">Continue reading...</a>Gordon BrownEnergy billsItalyPoliticsTax and spendingUK newsWorld newsEconomic policyTrade unionsBusinessMoneySilvio BerlusconiEuropeWed, 10 Sep 2008 15:51:54 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2008/sep/10/gordonbrown.energyAndrew Sparrow, senior political correspondent2008-09-10T15:51:54Z